Taylor Fritz...US Open finalist...the world has ended...

[Dominic & Andrey]

Well I am rooting for Taylor to win the trophy. He defeated Tsitsipas in Australia, Zverev at Wimbledon and in New York, the universe owes him a reward for his noble deeds.
Besides that, I think he makes a way better finalist, at the very least on HC, than freaking Kevin Anderson (biggest mental midget ever arguably), or someone like Kyrgios at Wimbledon (who had a ridiculous cakewalk to get there, unlike Fritz).

 

[zagor]

Casper Ruud is a 3-time slam finalist.

And also Kevin Anderson a 2-time finalist. Seriously, I've seen far worse slam finalists than Fritz.

 

[zagor]

Besides that, I think he makes a way better finalist, at the very least on HC, than freaking Kevin Anderson (biggest mental midget ever arguably), or someone like Kyrgios at Wimbledon (who had a ridiculous cakewalk to get there, unlike Fritz).

I remember Anderson celebrating reaching the USO final by climbing into the stands, it was ridiculous. Atleast Fritz will actually try to win the title.

And yeah, Kyrgios 2022 Wimbledon draw was a definition of cakewalk.

 

[Lleytonstation]

I remember Anderson celebrating reaching the USO final by climbing into the stands, it was ridiculous. Atleast Fritz will actually try to win the title.

And yeah, Kyrgios 2022 Wimbledon draw was a definition of cakewalk.

Yep. Now I do believe Anderson had a very high level when on. But it was few and far between.

Fritz will give it a go. But he needs help from Sinner and is likely not going to get it.

But I mean other than 5 guys, is there anyone we would accept on TTW? Think about it.

Djoker, Carlos, Sinner, Med, Zverev, and who else?

 

[zagor]

Yep. Now I do believe Anderson had a very high level when on. But it was few and far between.

Fritz will give it a go. But he needs help from Sinner and is likely not going to get it.

Fritz is better than Anderson. A more complete player who'll end his 3d year in a row as a top 10 player now.

Anderson had tremendous power but was very mentally weak and was pretty horrible in his 2 slam finals despite the opposition. Dude really lucked out in reaching 2 slam finals.

But I mean other than 5 guys, is there anyone we would accept on TTW? Think about it.

Djoker, Carlos, Sinner, Med, Zverev, and who else?

I accept anyone who displays a good level of play to reach the final. I don't always take name over form, I like to watch tennis not just look at stats. Often maligned Baggy and Gonzo were not big names but they played great tennis and beat credible opposition to reach a final, and gave solid showings in it.

Fritz beat Ruud, Zverev and then Tiafoe. He earned his shot. I hope he goes for it in the final, play aggressive tennis and let chips fall where they may.

 

[Sudacafan]

Now they remember he was the junior champion.
Why didn't they say it before?

 

[InsideOut900]

Lemme guess, op, since Zverev lost you had this thread prepared:

<insert De Minaur, Draper, Tiafoe, Fritz, Dimitrov> ...US Open finalist...the world has ended...

Fritz is literally the best case scenario, guy who beat the best top seed in Zverev.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Lemme guess, op, since Zverev lost you had this thread prepared:

<insert De Minaur, Draper, Tiafoe, Fritz, Dimitrov> ...US Open finalist...the world has ended...

Fritz is literally the best case scenario, guy who beat the best top seed in Zverev.

Dimitrov winning it would be the beginning of a new and better world.

Fritz is a fine finalist.

 

[kangaroo1973]

what about the Cilic vs Nishikori final?

2014 USO Cilic went god mode. Not even 2011 Djokovic, 2010 Nadal or 2006 Fed could challenge him. Arguably the best performance at slam i ve ever seen( along with 2008 Rafa RG)

 

[paolo2143]

LOL weakest era in the history of the world. No wonder an intrinsic 12 slam winner was able to double his slam count.

No that would be 2003 to 2006 where Roger just had to turn up to win slams lol

 

[jl809]

I have few issues with Fritz winning considering he seems the most grounded and serious of the next genners, and he saved us from Abuserev.

That said, yes, the hyperinflation era clearly doth continue. Let’s hope it’s a high level final

 

[BGod]

The King of 250s Casper Ruud is a 3 Time Slam finalist....

Fritz was a good prospect (I even have to unearth an old thread I did about him and others). He's finally living up to expectations.

 

[mental midget]

i simultaneously take issue with the premise of this thread...and totally agree.

he's playing great tennis. winning. won IW, etc...beating the guys in front of him, has improved a ton, totally deserves it.

but also...it just feels weird, maybe it's just that he doesn't feel 'exceptional' in any particular way...can serve huge but doesn't have that 'scary server' vibe of a bublik, hurcacz, etc. has improved movement a ton but still far from graceful or explosive. can crush the forehand, solid bh but neither stroke has any real 'flair,' as unfair/subjective as i know that is.

totally happy for him, fun to have an american in the final, seems like a great guy...again, absolutely earned it...but as a fan i guess his game just doesn't excite me. sorry taylor...but good luck in the final, and i think an american winning the uso would juice tennis a bit in this country, which would help the sport in general which is a good thing. sinner i think we know will likely win a few majors, so not make or break for him.

 

[mental midget]

The King of 250s Casper Ruud is a 3 Time Slam finalist....

Fritz was a good prospect (I even have to unearth an old thread I did about him and others). He's finally living up to expectations.

yes i still do double takes when i remember that. and look that's because he's a great player, but still...just weird.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Nah, not at all. It was far worse when Kyrgios made it to a slam final after getting a walkover in the SF of a slam.

At least Fritz beat top 10 Ruud and top 5 Zverev back to back and then former SFist Tiafoe. Also beat Berrettini in the 2R who's a former slam SFist himself.

 

[A_Instead]

Never know what may happen after the coin toss....
Anyone can slip and take out their knee..

 

[NoleFam]

This…typical ttw clown commentary. Fritz has been consistently knocking the QF doors at slams for 2 seasons now, deservedly earns his place in the final. On one hand some of them want anyone but Novak and when that happens they whine. I have no idea why big Foe gets so much hate, one would think everyone here are morally outstanding citizens..lol.

Yea they want a post Novak game and now when they are finally getting it, they complain. I said it another thread but most of them liked him until he hit Federer at the net at Laver Cup. It was all downhill from there, lol.

 

[Youngheart]

Talking about unexpected finalists...I have a great story from skiing, that most people have forgotten.
The identical twins Phil and Steve Mahre won first and second place medals in the same race at the
1984 Olympics! That was not completely unexpected, but still, what are the odds? Never again.

 

[Slicerman]

You guys might not realize it, but we NEED Fritz to win the US Open. An American man winning the US Open will reinvigorate the US back into tennis and save the sport from being taken over by pickleball.

 

[mental midget]

Fritz is better than Anderson. A more complete player who'll end his 3d year in a row as a top 10 player now.

Anderson had tremendous power but was very mentally weak and was pretty horrible in his 2 slam finals despite the opposition. Dude really lucked out in reaching 2 slam finals.



I accept anyone who displays a good level of play to reach the final. I don't always take name over form, I like to watch tennis not just look at stats. Often maligned Baggy and Gonzo were not big names but they played great tennis and beat credible opposition to reach a final, and gave solid showings in it.

Fritz beat Ruud, Zverev and then Tiafoe. He earned his shot. I hope he goes for it in the final, play aggressive tennis and let chips fall where they may.

baggy in particular...he was a really great player. injuries ruined him but i don't consider his success an 'anomaly,' was the real deal when healthy.

 

[marc45]

First male US Open finalist since 2006 and first American male Slam finalist since 2009 (both records held by Roddick). With Pegula playing the women's final, US tennis is looking healthier than it's been for some time.

Draper may save British tennis...impressed with him, just has to become elite fitness-wise

wouldn't mind Murray overseeing his workout and practice routine though I'm sure he has a good team around him

 

[LeftyMagic]

Why is it embarrassing? He won 6 matches to get there and he beat Zverev. He earned it. I also don't think Tiafoe is arrogant. He shouldn't have made those comments but a lot of you are overreacting.

foe compared himself to alcaraz, and said a handful of other idiotic things in a 2 wk span when he was irrelevant for this entire year. He’s super arrogant, yelling abt the us open being “his house” for winning a third round match? gimme a break. When hes not making claims like he plays as well as carlos and he deserves it all, hes mumbling.

 

[RF-18]

Last 5 majors for Fritz including this USOA:

QF, QF, 4R, QF, F

What's the problem. You have major finalists in the past with way worse results than him. He has been a top player for years. He also has a masters title. He has earned this achievement. He won't win the title, but a slam final for him should be considered a massive achievement.

 

[iopzzza]

Well shame on Zverev... He knows , Fritz knows, I know and the whole world knows he is a lot better than Fritz , but again couldn't turn on. That was great chance for him. Fritz is a mid carder at best, while Zverev is close to the main event abillity wise.

 

[Winners or Errors]

I'm not seeing the problem.

Fritz has won Indian Wells, won 8 career ATP titles, been ranked as high as #5, and beat #4 seed Zverev on the way to the final. Plus, Taylor was a former world #1 in the juniors and was a US Open junior champion. He's a worthy finalist and earned it.

Yeah, but if he goes down meekly in the final none of that will matter.

 

[Winners or Errors]

Well shame on Zverev... He knows , Fritz knows, I know and the whole world knows he is a lot better than Fritz , but again couldn't turn on. That was great chance for him. Fritz is a mid carder at best, while Zverev is close to the main event abillity wise.

None of that matters if he can’t execute when he needs to.

 

[sportsfan1]

Tiafoe was the better player in the sf, until he choked and cramped up in the 4th.

This has got to shake zverev. He is capable of playing at a level much, much higher than fritz can ever reach and has so much more experience in slams. Look at the way zverevs competed against nadal, novak and carlos in some slam matches. He could have easily beaten fritz and tiafoe, and then have a shot against sinner.

Now we are left with the real possibility it can be fritz (along with morgan riddle) hoisting the uso trophy.

 

[bullfan]

2014 USO Cilic went god mode. Not even 2011 Djokovic, 2010 Nadal or 2006 Fed could challenge him. Arguably the best performance at slam i ve ever seen( along with 2008 Rafa RG)

what about DelPo USOpen?

 

[Djokovic2011]

First male US Open finalist since 2006 and first American male Slam finalist since 2009 (both records held by Roddick). With Pegula playing the women's final, US tennis is looking healthier than it's been for some time.

Wait, there hasn't even been an American slam finalist in 15 years?! Surely that can't be right?

 

[NoleFam]

foe compared himself to alcaraz, and said a handful of other idiotic things in a 2 wk span when he was irrelevant for this entire year. He’s super arrogant, yelling abt the us open being “his house” for winning a third round match? gimme a break. When hes not making claims like he plays as well as carlos and he deserves it all, hes mumbling.

Compared himself to Carlos how? I must have missed that. As for saying it was his house after beating Shelton, I think he deserves a pass for that considering Shelton hung up on him last year when he beat him. I don't get arrogant from Tiafoe. A little mouthy at times but not arrogant imo.

 

[Better_Call_Raul]

Wait, there hasn't even been an American slam finalist in 15 years?! Surely that can't be right?

Calm down. Tennis has been dominated by the Big Four for 20 years.
But America has had many great male champions prior to that. Sampras, Agassi, Mac, etc
Americans are not obsessed with an American winning. It is not all that important.

 

[ibbi]

This take is more Shaquille O'Neal than Eugene O'Neill.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Thank God for Taylor fritz we are seeing haters of tennis in this thread

 

[zagor]

baggy in particular...he was a really great player. injuries ruined him but i don't consider his success an 'anomaly,' was the real deal when healthy.

Oh yeah, he was really carried by the crowd that AO. Beat Stepanek, Roddick, Ljubicic and then Nalbo (compared that road to Kyrgios in 2022 Wimbledon or Anderson in 2017 USO). He was playing great all-court tennis, taking the ball very early, finishing at the net, serving well etc. I remember during the trophy ceremony someone said today tennis won/gained because we got Bagdathis.

Shame he was plagued with injuries, dude was very fun to watch when on.

 

[Youngheart]

Additionally to my post #68 〰️〰️
The world is divided between those who believe that heredity is a giant factor in success, and those who
think pure relentless effort can triumph. When I look at the results of the Mahre brothers in skiing, it seems
clear to me that heredity is the big winner. The rest of us can order another beer, if heredity is not on our side.
------ So Be It ⚜ ------

 

[zagor]

This take is more Shaquille O'Neal than Eugene O'Neill.

Just wanted an excuse to post this video, always brings a smile to my face.

 

[inflation_era]

No that would be 2003 to 2006 where Roger just had to turn up to win slams lol

He turned up at 2006 FO but didn't win.

 

[aman92]

Robby Ginepri reached the USO semi final in 2005...that is still more astounding

 

[ppma]

You realize Tsonga beat Nadal in semi final and Novak beat Federer for the final?

The point is exactly that in those years there was a bunch of players in the top 10 that could really hurt the big 3. They were consistent and were able to reach QFs quite often. They were similar level of Alacaraz, Sinner, or 2023 Djokovic, 2022 Nadal, or 2018 Federer. Tsonga would mop the floor with any player in the current top 10.

Today's gen players in the top struggle to make two consecutive QFs in sub M1000 level tournaments. That's the weak part.

 

[Mainad]

Wait, there hasn't even been an American slam finalist in 15 years?! Surely that can't be right?

Well, it is. Fritz is the 1st (American man that is) since Roddick at 2009 Wimbledon.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Fritz to me is better player than Ruud in 22 usopen

 

[Mainad]

Calm down. Tennis has been dominated by the Big Four for 20 years.
But America has had many great male champions prior to that. Sampras, Agassi, Mac, etc
Americans are not obsessed with an American winning. It is not all that important.

But I do think that an American male Slam champion after so many years and especially at the home Slam should prove a shot in the arm for the dwindling interest in tennis in the US. Pegula possibly winning the women's event at the same time would be a great fillip too.

Given Sinner's possible wrist injury Fritz may have a greater chance than we might suppose.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Fritz to me is better player than Ruud in 22 usopen

Fritz has a higher ceiling and higher floor in my opinion.

 

[helterskelter]

Agreed

He is a lot less talented than those guys but works harder and is not a choker.

Less talented than Ruud but harder working?

 

[Tano]

Really not that bad to be honest.

Especially if he does not win it.

He is better than ruud.

Fritz has not shown a higher level than Ruud in the finals that the Norwegian reached at Roland Garros

 

[Ace of Aces]

I don’t understand how you can say Fritz isn’t talented. He generates incredible racquet speed from a very compact swing and hits extremely cleanly while taking ball earlier than most. He’s not a good enough mover to ever be an elite player but Hewitt/ Chang aren’t who you guys normally call talented.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

I don't know, he's played at a pretty high level throughout the tournament. Maybe he didn't play his best tennis in this semi, but he still won it and it's hard to say he doesn't deserve to be in the final

This.

 

[travlerajm]

Really not that bad to be honest.

Especially if he does not win it.

He is better than ruud.

To his credit, he looks 5-10 lbs leaner this year, and his level is noticeably higher.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

I'm not seeing the problem.

Fritz has won Indian Wells, won 8 career ATP titles, been ranked as high as #5, and beat #4 seed Zverev on the way to the final. Plus, Taylor was a former world #1 in the juniors and was a US Open junior champion. He's a worthy finalist and earned it.

And this.

 

[travlerajm]

I don’t really like Fritz. But I will root for him over the doper.